PARIS (MNI) – The top priority of the French government after the
weekend cabinet reshuffle will remain fiscal consolidation to preserve
the country’s prime credit rating, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said
Tuesday.
“The absolute priority of my government will remain the battle
against the deficit, the reduction of debt and the reduction of public
spending,” Fillon told Parliament. “This battle against deficits is
necessary simply to relaunch growth.”
“We have today the lowest interest rates in our recent history,”
Fillon reminded. “And it is thanks to these interest rates, which depend
on the confidence of investors in the French economy, that we can
finance our debt and continue to invest,” notably in the areas of
research, innovation and upper education.
During the final phase of the legislative period, the government
will focus on bolstering economic growth to enhance job creation, on
financing the social security system, on urban renewal and on health
care for the aged, he said.
As president of the G20, France will also strive for an overhaul of
the world’s monetary system with the aim of stability, he added.
President Nicolas Sarkozy will spell out these priorities in a
interview with journalists to be transmitted by the country’s first two
television channels beginning this evening at 19:15.
–Paris newsroom +331 4271 5540; Email: stephen@marketnews.com
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